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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 28 august 2019

Federal judge blocks Missouri's 8-week abortion ban

By SUMMER BALLENTINE and strictive bans ranging from
MARGARET STAFFORD 14 weeks up to 20 weeks
Associated Press in the measure in hopes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A that one would be upheld.
new Missouri ban on abor- But it's unclear if any of the
tions at or after eight weeks bans on abortions before
of pregnancy won't take fetuses are viable outside
effect Wednesday after a the womb, which can be
federal judge temporarily from 24 to 28 weeks, will
blocked it from being im- stick.
plemented. Sachs wrote that it's "highly
U.S. District Judge Howard likely that the listed weekly
Sachs put a pause on the time limits on abortions will
law as a legal challenge be ruled invalid."
against it plays out in court, He will allow one portion of
which could take months. the policy to take effect:
He added that Planned a ban on abortions based
Parenthood and the Ameri- solely on race, sex or a di-
can Civil Liberties Union of agnosis indicating the po-
Missouri likely will succeed tential for Down syndrome.
in their lawsuit alleging that He wrote that abortions
the law is unconstitutional. based on Down syndrome
Similar laws have been would be "somewhat rare,
struck down in North Da- given the window of time In this June 21, 2019, file photo, a motorist enters Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and
kota and Iowa. needed for adequate test- Southwest Missouri.
Missouri already has some ing and consultation." Associated Press
of the nation's most restric- Planned Parenthood
tive abortion regulations. A vowed to fight to block with special needs, At- appeal Sachs' ruling. Nu- Missouri's law also includes
clinic in St. Louis is the only that portion of the law, too. torney General Schmitt is elle said the attorney gen- an outright ban on abor-
one in the state that per- "Although we are grateful particularly sensitive to sug- eral's office is reviewing the tions except in cases of
forms abortions. today's ruling allows us to gestions that an unborn full ruling and determining medical emergencies,
Sachs' ruling says allowing provide care to some Mis- child who will have special what steps to take next. but that would take effect
the eight-week abortion sourians, we will continue needs is any lesser of a hu- State attorneys have ar- only if Roe v. Wade is over-
ban to be enforced would to defend the truth: EVERY man being, and we're glad gued that courts have al- turned.
have blocked about half of reason to have an abor- that provisions relating to lowed limits on abortions The St. Louis Planned Par-
reported abortions in Mis- tion is a valid reason," said that issue were left in place based on the gestational enthood affiliate clinic,
souri. The judge wrote that Colleen McNicholas, chief in the judge's ruling today," age of the fetus. In court the only one in Missouri
it would amount to "sig- medical officer for Planned spokesman Chris Nuelle documents, they told the that provides abortions, is
nificant interference with Parenthood of the St. Louis said in a statement. judge that the state's goal is fighting to have its license
plaintiffs' service and the Region. Republican Gov. Mike Par- "protecting fetal life" as well renewed. The Missouri De-
rights of its prospective pa- The decision to allow that son, who signed the law in as protecting women. Dur- partment of Health and
tients." portion of the law to be May, said in a statement ing a court hearing Mon- Senior Services refused to
The law includes excep- enforced was lauded by that he's "encouraged that day, Missouri Solicitor Gen- renew the St. Louis clinic's
tions for medical emergen- Missouri Attorney General today's court ruling upheld eral John Sauer's argument license in July, saying in-
cies, but not for rape or in- Eric Schmitt, a Republican the anti-discrimination pro- centered on his contention spectors found several
cest. whose office is responsible visions of the law, and we that Planned Parenthood problems in March that in-
Missouri lawmakers expect- for defending the law in look forward to litigating and the ACLU do not have cluded three "failed abor-
ed a court challenge and court. the remaining issues." standing to challenge the tions" requiring additional
included a series of less-re- "As the father of a child Attorneys for the state can law. surgeries.q